The view from Kitt Peak

The view from Kitt Peak

Randy Metcalf/The Explorer, Wally Trial and Carla Cassidy listen to instructions on how to properly use their star charts. Trial and Cassidy, vacationers from Seattle, took the opportunity to see the night sky on Kitt Peak on Jan. 30.

The view from Kitt Peak

Randy Metcalf/The Explorer, As the sun sets, participants in Kitt Peak's Nightly Observing Program watch the stars slowly appear while guide Richard Barchfield explains why the sky is blue during the day and why it turns orange as the sun sets.

The view from Kitt Peak

Randy Metcalf/The Explorer, Participants in the Kitt Peak Nightly Observing Program look at the Andromeda Galaxy as one of the group's guides, Kevin Bays, uses a laser pointer to point out the spot in the night sky. Casual stargazers from out of town, along with locals, spend their evening Jan. 30 looking at the night sky as if they were astronomers.

The view from Kitt Peak

Randy Metcalf/The Explorer, Kitt Peak is home to 19 optical telescopes and two radio telescopes, which are used by dozens of universities around the world. The dry desert air, high altitude and a lack of a city lights allows views unlike any other in the world.

The view from Kitt Peak

Randy Metcalf/The Explorer, One of Kitt Peak's guides and telescope operator Kevin Bays shows people different images captured by the Hubble Space Telescope.